WHO WE ARE
A small team.
A very particular kind of knowledge
Meet the people behind your safari.
OUR STORY
Two good to keep
to ourselves.
Over the years of creating safaris, we've noticed something: nobody remembers the safari that matched their first idea exactly. They remember the one that became something more, once they trusted us to keep talking, past the first idea, into what was actually possible. That's where our name came from - the belief that the better direction is rarely the obvious one. We know these places intimately, and we bring everything we know to finding what's right for you.
We are a small, family-run team with bases in Sydney and Nairobi. Between us we carry decades of living, working and travelling across East Africa - the relationships, the guides, the communities, the conservationists, the camps that make an extraordinary safari possible. All of it earned. All of it behind every journey we design.
Small by design. Precise by nature.
North Node stays small on purpose. Every safari passes through hands that have actually been there - not researched but lived. That's the difference clients notice, and why so many come back, some for years running. Meet the people who make it possible.
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CHAR STEPHEN
Safari Specialist
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BEE CAMPBELL-STEPHEN
Digital & Social Media
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NDANU BROWN
Operations Manager
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CHARLES ABELU
Logistics Manager
OUR EAST AFRICAN HOME
The place we return to.
For many of our journeys, Nairobi is where it begins - gateway to the Mara and the Northern Frontier, with easy onward connections across the East Africa. It's also worth knowing in its own right: a city of genuine contrasts, where world-class restaurants and contemporary creativity sit alongside acacia trees and grazing giraffe on its own doorstep. It's home for some of our team, and has been for years.
OUR PROCESS
Nothing left to chance.
Everything considered.
The most important conversation comes first.
Every journey begins with a conversation. We want to know who is travelling, what has brought you here, and the Africa you have been thinking about - the landscapes, the wildlife, the particular experience that has been in the back of your mind. Tell us everything. That is where we start.
Where your dreams and our knowledge collide.
This is where North Node's knowledge of Africa meets what you are looking for. We know these destinations, these camps, these guides - from the inside out, not from a brochure. The right pace. The right places. The right people on the ground. We take everything we know and apply it to exactly who is travelling and what the journey needs. A journey that could not have been designed for anyone else.
We handle everything from here.
Once the journey is designed, everything that makes it happen is ours to manage. The logistics, the coordination, the details on the ground - the walk from the airstrip to camp, the boat crossing to a remote island, the drive through a landscape that shifts character every hour. None of it is incidental. We handle all of it in close contact with our partners at every destination. By the time you leave, everything is exactly as it should be.
From beginning to end, we’re with you.
The journey begins and we don't step back. Our partners on the ground have spent years learning the places they work in - the wildlife, the weather, how each location changes character through the day. They bring all of that to every moment you are out there. Your only job is to be there, fully and completely. Everything else is taken care of.
FAQ’s
Have a question about planning your safari? We have answered the ones we hear most often below. If yours isn't here, get in touch, we are always happy to chat.
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Our safaris include all logistics from arrival to departure - ground transportation, internal flights, transfers, accommodation, meals, activities and private guide fees where arranged. International flights and travel insurance are not included
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Additional costs typically include international flights, visas, travel insurance and gratuities. Any experiences outside your agreed itinerary would also be additional. We are always upfront about costs from the very first conversation - there are no surprises.
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As early as possible - ideally a year ahead for peak season between June and September, or over the Christmas period when the best camps and availability move quickly. That said, we can often accommodate last-minute requests, so it is always worth asking. And if your dates are flexible, ask us about the Green Season.
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North Node welcomes guests from all backgrounds, orientations and identities. We have experience planning safaris for LGBTQIA+ travellers and understand that some destinations require additional consideration and care. We will always be upfront with you about what to expect, and we design every journey with your safety, comfort and privacy in mind. Please reach out early in the planning process so we can have an honest conversation about your trip.
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Yes, and we consider it essential. Your policy should cover cancellation, interruption, emergency evacuation, medical expenses and loss of personal belongings at a minimum. Full details of what we require are outlined in our booking terms and conditions, and we are happy to talk you through anything you are unsure about.
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Yes. North Node designs journeys for solo travellers, couples, families, small groups and women-only groups across Kenya and East Africa. Every safari starts with who's travelling - not a category or package.
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Yes, entirely. We don't offer set itineraries. Every safari starts with a conversation - who's travelling, what draws you, what kind of experience you're after. From there, we match you to the right camps, guides and experiences from what Africa actually offers.
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From your first enquiry you will be dealing with our team directly. We are a small, close operation and everyone works together to make sure every detail is considered. You will have a consistent point of contact throughout the planning process and nothing falls through the cracks.
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The Green Season runs roughly from November through to May across East Africa - the wet months, when the bush transforms after the rains. Landscapes turn lush, newborn animals appear, birding is exceptional and the crowds that define peak season are largely absent. Prices are also considerably lower. It is one of the best-kept secrets in East African travel and for the right traveller, often the best time to go. Ask us whether it suits what you have in mind.
YOUR ACCOMMODATION
Handpicked. Always.
It's never really about the room. It's the location, the wildlife on its doorstep, the experiences that only happen from that particular spot - and always matched to what someone's actually looking for when they travel. That's why the conversation comes first. From intimate bush camps to private luxury lodges, every property in the North Node collection is chosen on those terms.
IT BEGINS WITH US.
Now you know us. Let’s talk.
That first conversation is where everything begins.